In March 2025, the Scottish Government introduced the world’s first ever Community Wealth Building Bill, making Scotland the first nation to attempt to hardwire the framework into law. Community wealth building (CWB) is a growing movement and one that has the potential to be key to tackling the intertwined challenges facing Scotland’s economy, from the escalating climate and environmental catastrophe to grossly unequal economic outcomes and wealth extraction. 

In recent years it has gained momentum in Scotland, shaping national and local policy by offering a practical, place-based approach to grow, retain and democratise wealth within communities. It represents a tried-and-tested bold, practical, and values-driven path to a just, sustainable, and democratic economy. But while the new Bill could create a vital enabling legislative framework, it cannot ensure the delivery of CWB across Scotland in isolation. This paper outlines the Bill’s strengths and weaknesses, and recommends key changes that could enhance its impact. Building on the key components of CWB – legislation, practice, and networks and movement building – it then looks beyond the Bill, providing a series of recommendations that would allow CWB to be more deeply embedded and mainstreamed as a core approach to economic development in Scotland. 

To truly shift Scotland’s economic trajectory, community wealth building must be embedded across all major policy areas. With sustained action and political will, Scotland has an opportunity to lead the world – and create a fairer, more resilient economy as a result.